Akira is a unisex Japanese given name written in kanji as 螢 or bright red and white. It means "bright red and white" and was traditionally used for boys. However, in recent years it has become more common for girls. The name Akira is often associated with the anime film of the same name directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, which tells the story of a teenage boy named Akira who acquires extraordinary psychic abilities.
The origin of the name Akira can be traced back to ancient Japan. The kanji character 螢 means firefly in Japanese, and was traditionally used as a boy's name. However, over time, the meaning of the name has evolved to encompass not just brightness, but also strength and courage.
One notable historical figure with the name Akira is Akira Kurosawa, the renowned Japanese filmmaker known for his works such as "Seven Samurai" and "Rashomon". Kurosawa's name means "bright red and white", reflecting his vibrant and bold cinematic style.
In popular culture, Akira has been used in various forms of media to represent characters with exceptional abilities or strength. For example, in the anime series "Naruto", there is a character named Akimichi Chouji whose name contains the kanji for red (赤) and white (白), reflecting his powerful digestive abilities.
Overall, Akira is a unique and powerful Japanese given name that carries deep cultural significance. Its meaning of "bright red and white" reflects not just physical appearance, but also inner strength and courage.
The name Akira experienced fluctuating popularity over the course of a century, with significant peaks and troughs in its usage. The highest number of births recorded was 54 in 1927, while there were periods where it dipped as low as 5 births per year (1962, 1964, 1967). Recently, the name has seen a resurgence with over 40 births each year since 2018.